Diagnosed with MS in 2010, Aurora resident Andrea Purcell will participate in Walk MS, the largest annual fundraisers of the National MS Society, Greater Illinois Chapter on Sunday, May 5, in Naperville.

Diagnosed with MS in 2010, Aurora resident Andrea Purcell will participate in Walk MS, the largest annual fundraisers of the National MS Society, Greater Illinois Chapter on Sunday, May 5, in Naperville. (Posted By jbarewin, Community Contributor)

Aurora resident Andrea Purcell was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in December of 2010. Just a few days before Christmas, she awoke with the sensation people often get when their foot is asleep, except on this morning it was from her neck down. Concerned, she made an appointment with her doctor—she knew something wasn’t right—and a telling MRI soon revealed that she had MS.

“In the days leading up to my diagnosis and the month following, I had a breakdown,” said Purcell. “I internalized my emotions and hid them from my family; I didn’t want to scare them, especially during the holidays.”

Following bouts of depression and fear, she realized that her diagnosis wasn’t going away. It was then that she decided to be proactive. Three months after her diagnosis, Purcell confided in a trusted colleague and the administration at her school, where she was working as a college counselor. It was through their recommendation that she first participated in Walk MS, the largest annual fundraiser of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Illinois Chapter.

Purcell, who has since formed her own Walk MS team, Purcell’s Posse, will participate in her third Walk MS Event, on Sunday, May 5, where she will joins thousands of others statewide and hundreds at the West Suburban Walk site in Naperville (W. Jefferson Avenue & VFW Drive).

“When I originally thought about participating in Walk MS, I told myself that if I could get just a few people’s support, for me, the event would be a success,” said Purcell. “What followed was overwhelming. That first year we had over 95 people on our team, and that day my family grew. Now I look forward to Walk MS because I’ve witnessed the great things we can do when we band together.”

Looking back, Purcell thinks about those uncertain times and realizes that they are a thing of the past.

“I remember how hard it was to stay upbeat,” she recalled. “I experienced a daily juxtaposition of helping kids figure out their futures while I was terrified of the uncertainty of mine. Now, I give hope to others who are newly diagnosed.”

To participate in Walk MS 2013 as an individual, volunteer, or part of a team, visit walkMSillinois.org or call 1.800.344.4867.

The National MS Society addresses the challenges of each person affected by MS. To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move forward with their lives.

The disease affects more than 20,000 people in Illinois and 2.1 million worldwide. For more information, visit MSIllinois.org.